Gaff-clapper.



ROGER W. WONSON, OF GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

GAFF-CLAPPER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3, 1907.

Application filed January 26, 1906. Serial No. 297,98.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, ROGER W. WoNsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gloucester, in the county of Essex and ,State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in GaffOlappers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in gaff clappers for sailing vessels of various kinds and types, the

object of the invention being to provide a gaff clapper which can be readily detached from the jaws of the gaff and a new clapper inserted in lieu thereof. Gaff clappers as at present constructed and attached to the jaws of the gaff are constantly wearing out, and when they are replaced it is necessary to remove the pivotal pin. To do this is quite a difficult piece of work, for the reason that the outer edges of the jaws of the gaff are covered with sheet copper against which the halyards rub, and, therefore, to remove the pivotal pin of the gaff clapper it is necessary, first, to remove the sheet copper and then drive the pin through the jaws and through the gaff clapper in order to remove the same. This work necessitates a skilled blacksmith and sheet iron worker in order that the same may be properly done, and in almost all cases the sheet copper which is removed isso bent and injured that it is necessary, in order to obtain a smooth surface for the halyards to rub against on the outer edges of the gaff jaws to use new sheet copper after the pivotal pin of the gaff clapper has been inserted.

It is very seldom that work of the nature hereinbefore described can be performed upon a sailing vessel and, therefore, it becomes necessary to remove the gaff and its clapper and take them to a blacksmiths shop Which is properly fitted with tools and labor to perform the work hereinbefore described. This necessitates a large amount of trouble and expense and it is to elimi' nate this expense and trouble that the device of this invention has been produced.

The invention consists in a gaff clapper constructed as hereinafter described and particularly as set forth in the claims. 1

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved gaff clapper. Fig. 2 a side elevation of the same, Fig. 3 a longitudinal section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 a perspective view of the forked end of a gaff with my improved gaff clapper attached thereto.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In the drawings, 5 is the body portion of the gaff clapper, said body portion being preferably of wood and having a groove 6 extending laterally thereacross upon the rear face of said clappen, A metal U-shaped sleeve 7 extends throughout the entire length of the groove 6, both sleeve and groove being covered by a plate 8 which extends across the rear face of said clapper and is bifurcated at its opposite ends forming arms 9, 9 at each end of said plate, which are bent downwardly and fastened to the opposite sides 10, 10 of said body portion 5 by screws 15, 15.

The gaff 11 is provided with two jaws 12, 12 and a pivotal pin 13 extends through said jaws and through the U-shaped sleeve, thus pivotally supporting the clapper upon the jaws of the gaff. Sheet metal plates 14 are fastened to the outer edges of the jaws'12 to prevent the chafing of the jaws and of the halyards. A metal plate 16 covers the front face of the clapper, the ends 17 of said plate being turned upwardly around the ends of the clapper and fastened thereto by lag-screws 18. This metal plate very much prolongs the life of the clapper.

In attaching a clapper such as hereinbefore described to the gaff, the plate 8 is first removed by unscrewing the screws 15 and the clapper placed upon the pivotal pin 13. The plate 8 is then attached to the clapper by means of the screws 15 and the device is in readiness for use. In removing the clapper, when worn out, from the gaff, the plate 8 is removed by unscrewing the screws 15 and a new clapper inserted in its place in the manner hereinbefore described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire by Letters Patent to secure is:

1. A gaff clapper comprising a body portion having a groove extending laterally across one face thereof, and a plate extending over said groove and across said body portion, the opposite ends of said plate extending over the sides of said body portion and fastened thereto.

2. A gaff clappercomprising a body portion having a groove extending laterally across one face thereof, and a plate extending over said groove and across said body portion, the opposite ends of said plate bifurcated, said bifurcated ends extending over the sides or said body portion at opposite sides, respectively, of said groove and detachably fastened to said body portion.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROGER W. WONSON.

Witnesses:

Crmnnns S. GoooINo, WALDO I. WoNsoN. 

